Oblates: The Rule of Benedict for Lay Persons

Do you desire

• To seek God in your daily living?
• To form a spiritual affiliation with the monastery?
• To live the Gospel values found in the Rule of Benedict?
• To experience the mutual support of those who share the same desires?

If you answer "Yes" to the above questions, you may want to become an Oblate of a Benedictine Monastery. Oblates make an oblation (offering of self) to live the values of the Rule of Benedict in their own particular circumstances. They have a spiritual affiliation with the particular monastery in which they make their oblation.

At St. Walburga Monastery, Oblates meet once a month and receive the Oblate Newsletter. Meetings are open to anyone. Those who make the commitment of Oblation, formalize their intention to live the Gospel values found in the Rule, and they share in the spiritual life of the community. Some Oblates may join the community in praying the Liturgy of the Hours or in working on some particular project, but it is more important that each discover the application of Benedict’s teaching in his or her own life. The meetings include both conferences and time for discussion so that Oblates may share their experience of applying the Rule to life outside the monastery.